Thursday, 9 February 2017

Customs House Square, Lunar Lanterns, Rat

Lunar Lanterns have been installed around Circular Quay to celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival. In the Chinese zodiac, every year is symbolised by an animal and this year is the Year of the Rooster. Many of the lanterns were seen around the city last year but some of them have been changed this year. This Rat lantern has been installed in Customs House Square, in front of Customs House. The six metre high by lantern was created by Guo Jian and is inspired by his experience of moving to Australia and being embraced and supported by the Sydney LGBTI community. The Zodiac symbol of the Rat can be characterised as intelligent, adaptable and social. The quick-witted Rat cannot let an opportunity to prosper pass them by. The Chinese characters symbolise "Love".